Friday, February 23, 2018

Zhuang Zhou's Butterfly, Dream or Reality?


We wake from one dream into another dream. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

How can you prove whether at this moment we are sleeping, and all our thoughts are a dream; or whether we are awake, and talking to one another in the waking state? – Plato

Remember that time you woke up from a dream which seemed so real it temporarily disoriented you, and made you feel for a moment like the world of the dream was just as real as the “real” world? This has happened to us all.

As long as humans have existed, our thinkers and philosophers have pondered the nature of existence with that universal dream/reality intersection in mind. Plato and Aristotle and Descartes all asked themselves about the reality of our physical existence when they posed the dream argument. Here’s a synopsis of that classic conundrum from a 4th Century B.C. Chinese philosopher named Chuang Chou (Zhuangzi):

Once upon a time, I, Chuang Chou, dreamt I was a butterfly, fluttering hither and thither, to all intents and purposes a butterfly. I was conscious only of my happiness as a butterfly, unaware that I was Chou. Soon I awaked, and there I was, veritably myself again. Now I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly, dreaming I am a man. Between a man and a butterfly there is necessarily a distinction. The transition is called the transformation of material things.

How do I know that enjoying life is not a delusion? How do I know that in hating death we are not like people who got lost in early childhood and do not know the way home?... While men are dreaming, they do not perceive that it is a dream. Some will even have a dream in a dream, and only when they awake they know it was all a dream… And someday there will be a great awakening when we know that this is all a great dream… And yet fools think they are awake, presuming to know that they are rulers or herdsmen. How dense! You and Confucius are both dreaming, and I who say you are a dream am also a dream. Such is my tale. It will probably be called preposterous, but after ten thousand generations there may be a great sage who will be able to explain it, a trivial interval equivalent to the passage from morning to night.

This short story points to a number of interesting and much-explored philosophical issues, stemming from the relationship between the waking-state and the dream-state, and/or between illusion and reality: How do we know when we’re dreaming, and when we’re awake? How do we know if what we’re perceiving is “real” or a mere “illusion” or “fantasy”? Is the “me” of various dream-characters the same as or different from the “me” of my waking world?

How do I know, when I experience something I call “waking up,” that it is actually a waking up to “reality” as opposed to simply waking up into another level of dream?

Chuang Chou’s realization, and Plato’s famous Allegory of The Cave, really all come down to one question: how do we truly know what’s real?

The dream argument basically suggests that the act of dreaming itself, which can seem so real, proves that we really can’t trust our normal five senses and the regular perceptions of our minds. Plato re-stated that idea when he wrote his cave analogy, suggesting that we only perceive the shadows of the truly real, and not their actuality.

In the same way, much Buddhist, Hindu and Sufi thought considers this material world literally unreal. In fact, many religious traditions, including the Baha’i Faith, have teachings that compare the spiritual world with the material one, and come to the conclusion that this material world never lasts; while the spiritual world is everlasting.

These ideas live in the innermost heart of religion, which always calls us to the immortal rather than the mortal; to the lasting rather than the temporal; to the eternal rather than the ephemeral. Every mystical teaching testifies to this truth. That’s the single common aim of all the great Faiths—to lead us back to the divine, which already resides inside us. Each of those Faiths assures us that we can discover the profound, joyful and transcendent in our own hearts and souls—and in our dreams.

Baha’is believe that our dreams show us nightly proof of the existence and the immortality of our souls:

In the world of dreams the body becomes absolutely passive, but the spirit still functions actively, possessed of all susceptibilities. This leads to the conclusion that the life of the spirit is neither conditional nor dependent upon the life of the body. At most it can be said that the body is a mere garment utilized by the spirit. If that garment be destroyed, the wearer is not affected but is, in fact, protected. – Abdu’l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 259.


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Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Occultist: Dion Fortune (1890 –1946)


Dion Fortune (born Violet Mary Firth, 1890 –1946) was a British occultist, Christian Qabalist, ceremonial magician, novelist and author whose books still influence modern Witchcraft and neo-Paganism. 

She was a co-founder of the Fraternity of the Inner Light, an occult organisation that promoted philosophies which she claimed had been taught to her by spiritual entities known as the Ascended Masters.

Fortune was born into a family of Christian Scientists. At the age of four she started to see visions of the lost city of Atlantis.  In her teens she begun exhibiting mediumistic abilities. 

During her early twenties she worked as a law analyst at the Medico-Psychological Clinic in London. Her interest in exploring the human psyche led to her being psychologically attacked. This occurred in 1911, when she was 20. She worked in a school helping the principal who took a great dislike toward her. When going to tell the woman that she was leaving her job, the principal subjected Fortune to vindictiveness, telling her she lacked self-confidence and was incompetent. Later Fortune said the woman also had conveyed this psychic attack through yoga techniques and hypnotism which left her a "mental and physical wreck" for three years.

This type of psychological violation resulted in her initial study of Freudian and Jungian psychology. At first she preferred Jung over Freud, but as she continued her study Fortune concluded that neither psychiatrist adequately addressed the subtleties and complexities of the mind. Thus, for her, the answers lay in occultism.

Once having embarked upon the occult path she cast her net wide and became a member of the Theosophical Society and of the Alpha et Omega Temple of the former Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, but becoming discontented with the performance of existing organisations she set about founding her own esoteric order, the Community (later Fraternity) of the Inner Light. At first the order was part of the Golden Dawn, but later separated from it. 

Following this Fortune worked as a psychiatrist which brought her in contact with victims of psychic attack.

As a result of her experience with psychic attack Fortune concluded that hostile psychic energy can emanate both deliberately and unwittingly from certain people and that one can mentally fend off such energy. Her work Psychic Self-Defense (1930) is still regarded as the best guide to detection and defense against psychic attack.

The work, The Mystical Qabbalah (1936), perhaps her most famous book, contains her discussion of the Western esoteric tradition and how the Qabbalah is used by modern students of the Mysteries. The true nature of the gods, she said, is that of magical images shaped out of the astral plane by mankind's thought, and influenced by the mind. 

For some Witches and Neo-pagan her fictional works are considered more important than her nonfiction, because they are filled with Pagan themes and rituals.

Fortune married a Dr. Evans. She died in 1946.

Although she wrote many books that are still in wide publication today, there is something a little more interesting that she was involved with during her life. During World War II many occultists and magickal practitioners in England worked magick against the German war machine. This has been dubbed the “Magical Battle of Britain”. The details of this work are set out in a series of letters that Fortune wrote at the time about the working.

Many occultists and practitioners believe that this magickal working is what led to her death shortly after the war ended in January of 1946. Part of the legend around this work is the fact that Hitler planned to invade Britain on at least two occasions and each time ended up not invading. A book called, The Magical Battle of Britain, was published by Sun Chalice Books in 2003. This was done mainly by the work Gareth Knight put into making the book a reality. Gareth Knight is the current leader of Dion Fortune’s esoteric group, The Society of The Inner Light.

The Fraternity of the Inner Light continues to be based in London, but now is known as the Society of the Inner Light. It offers techniques in the Western esoteric tradition.

“The body is the vehicle of the mind.” 
― Dion Fortune 

“...unless men work at occultism as they work for the prizes of their professions they will not achieve.” 
― Dion Fortune, Esoteric Orders and Their Work and The Training and Work of the Initiate

“...spirituality alone will not take a man far in the Mysteries; he must have intellectual powers as well.” 
― Dion Fortune, What Is Occultism?

“Now vampirism is contagious; the person who is vampirised, being depleted of vitality, is a psychic vacuum, himself absorbing form anyone he comes across in order to refill his depleted resources of vitality.” 
― Dion Fortune, Psychic Self-Defense

“The initiate, however, uses a symbol-system differently; he uses it as an algebra by means of which he will read the secrets of unknown potencies; in other words, he uses the symbol as a means of guiding thought out into the Unseen and Incomprehensible.” 
― Dion Fortune, The Mystical Qabalah

“What mathematics are to matter and force, occult science is to life and consciousness,” 
― Dion Fortune, What Is Occultism?

“...a trained occultist, especially if of high grade, has an exceedingly magnetic personality, and this is apt to prove disturbing to those who are unaccustomed to high- tension psychic forces. For whereas the person who is ripe for development will unfold the higher consciousness rapidly in the atmosphere of a high-grade initiate, the person who is not ready may find these influences profoundly disturbing.” 
― Dion Fortune, Psychic Self-Defense

“There is something very intimate and personal about one's books. They reveal so much of one's private soul.” 
― Dion Fortune, The Sea Priestess

“Some say these people were Phoenicians, but that is incorrect; they were older than the Phoenicians being Atlanteans,” 
― Dion Fortune, Moon Magic

“Well, you remember what Iamblichos said about the way they built up the god-forms in their imagination so as to get the invisible powers to manifest through them?” 
― Dion Fortune, Goat Foot God

“What you contemplate, you touch. What you enter into in imagination, you make yourself one with.” 
― Dion Fortune, Principles of Esoteric Healing


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Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Paulo Coelho quotes that will soothe your aching soul


Paulo Coelho (born August 24, 1947) is a Brazilian lyricist and novelist and the recipient of numerous international awards. His considered one of the most influential authors of our times. Coelho is best known for his widely translated novel The Alchemist. His books have sold more than 165 million copies worldwide, have been released in 170 countries and been translated into 80 languages. 

“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” (The Alchemist)

“It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.” (The Alchemist)

“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.” (The Alchemist)

“So, I love you because the entire universe conspired to help me find you.” (The Alchemist)

“The simple things are also the most extraordinary things, and only the wise can see them.” (The Alchemist)

“Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure.” (The Alchemist)

“Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second's encounter with God and with eternity.” (The Alchemist)

“Love is an untamed force. When we try to control it, it destroys us. When we try to imprison it, it enslaves us. When we try to understand it, it leaves us feeling lost and confused.” 

“We can never judge the lives of others, because each person knows only their own pain and renunciation. It's one thing to feel that you are on the right path, but it's another to think that yours is the only path.” 

“When I had nothing to lose, I had everything. When I stopped being who I am, I found myself.” (Eleven Minutes)

“No matter what he does, every person on earth plays a central role in the history of the world. And normally he doesn't know it.” (The Alchemist)

“Nothing in the world is ever completely wrong. Even a stopped clock is right twice a day.” (Brida)

“When you find your path, you must not be afraid. You need to have sufficient courage to make mistakes. Disappointment, defeat, and despair are the tools God uses to show us the way.” (Brida)

“Don't waste your time with explanations: people only hear what they want to hear.” 

“When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change; at such a moment, there is no point in pretending that nothing has happened or in saying that we are not yet ready. The challenge will not wait. Life does not look back. A week is more than enough time for us to decide whether or not to accept our destiny.” (The Devil and Miss Prym)

“Tears are words that need to be written.” 

“If I am really a part of your dream, you'll come back one day.” 

“Don't give in to your fears. If you do, you won't be able to talk to your heart.” (The Alchemist)

“The two hardest tests on the spiritual road are the patience to wait for the right moment and the courage not to be disappointed with what we encounter.” (Veronika Decides to Die)

“There are moments when troubles enter our lives and we can do nothing to avoid them. But they are there for a reason. Only when we have overcome them will we understand why they were there.” (The Fifth Mountain)

“Everything tells me that I am about to make a wrong decision, but making mistakes is just part of life. What does the world want of me? Does it want me to take no risks, to go back to where I came from because I didn't have the courage to say "yes" to life?” (Eleven Minutes)

“Waiting is painful. Forgetting is painful. But not knowing which to do is the worst kind of suffering.” (By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept)

“If pain must come, may it come quickly. Because I have a life to live, and I need to live it in the best way possible. If he has to make a choice, may he make it now. Then I will either wait for him or forget him.” (By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept)

“When someone leaves, it's because someone else is about to arrive.” (The Zahir)

“Now that she had nothing to lose, she was free.” (Eleven Minutes)

“None of us knows what might happen even the next minute, yet still we go forward. Because we trust. Because we have Faith.” (Brida)

“People are capable, at any time in their lives, of doing what they dream of.” (The Alchemist)

“The secret of life, though, is to fall seven times and to get up eight times.” (The Alchemist)

“When we meet someone and fall in love, we have a sense that the whole universe is on our side. And yet if something goes wrong, there is nothing left! How is it possible for the beauty that was there only minutes before to vanish so quickly? Life moves very fast. It rushes from heaven to hell in a matter of seconds.” (Eleven Minutes)

“We are travelers on a cosmic journey, stardust, swirling and dancing in the eddies and whirlpools of infinity. Life is eternal. We have stopped for a moment to encounter each other, to meet, to love, to share.This is a precious moment. It is a little parenthesis in eternity.” (The Alchemist)

“You are what you believe yourself to be.” (The Witch of Portobello)

“I can choose either to be a victim of the world or an adventurer in search of treasure. It's all a question of how I view my life.” (Eleven Minutes)

“People never learn anything by being told, they have to find out for themselves.” (Veronika Decides to Die)

“Everything that happens once can never happen again. But everything that happens twice will surely happen a third time.” (The Alchemist)

“If someone isn't what others want them to be, the others become angry. Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own.” (The Alchemist)

“Anyone who loves in the expectation of being loved in return is wasting their time.” (The Devil and Miss Prym)

“No one loses anyone, because no one owns anyone. That is the true experience of freedom: having the most important thing in the world without owning it” (Eleven Minutes)

“I don’t live in either my past or my future. I’m interested only in the present. If you can concentrate always on the present, you’ll be a happy man. Life will be a party for you, a grand festival, because life is the moment we’re living now.” (The Alchemist)

“Your eyes show the strength of your soul.” 

“How much I missed, simply because I was afraid of missing it.” (Brida)

“What is a teacher? I'll tell you: it isn't someone who teaches something, but someone who inspires the student to give of her best in order to discover what she already knows.” (The Witch of Portobello)

“The strongest love is the love that can demonstrate its fragility.” (Eleven Minutes)

“When each day is the same as the next, it’s because people fail to recognize the good things that happen in their lives every day that the sun rises.” (The Alchemist)

“After all, what is happiness? Love, they tell me. But love doesn't bring and never has brought happiness. On the contrary, it's a constant state of anxiety, a battlefield; it's sleepless nights, asking ourselves all the time if we're doing the right thing. Real love is composed of ecstasy and agony.” (The Witch Of Portobello)

“What's the world's greatest lie?... It's this: that at a certain point in our lives, we lose control of what's happening to us, and our lives become controlled by fate.” 

“I’ve learned that waiting is the most difficult bit, and I want to get used to the feeling, knowing that you’re with me, even when you’re not by my side.” (Eleven Minutes)

“Life always waits for some crisis to occur before revealing itself at its most brilliant.” (Eleven Minutes)

“Why do we have to listen to our hearts?" the boy asked.
"Because, wherever your heart is, that is where you will find your treasure.” (The Alchemist)

“Every blessing ignored becomes a curse.” (The Alchemist)

“You will never be able to escape from your heart. So it's better to listen to what it has to say.” (The Alchemist)

“Be crazy! But learn how to be crazy without being the center of attention. Be brave enough to live different.” (Veronika Decides to Die)

“Stay mad, but behave like normal people. Run the risk of being different, but learn to do so without attracting attention.” 

“We pretend to be strong because we are weak.” 

“Why is patience so important?"
"Because it makes us pay attention.” 

“If you start by promising what you don't even have yet, you'll lose your desire to work towards getting it.” (The Alchemist)

“Don't allow your mind to tell your heart what to do. The mind gives up easily” 

“Haters are confused admirers who can’t understand why everybody else likes you” 

“Intuition is really a sudden immersion of the soul into the universal current of life.” (The Alchemist)

“Love is a trap. When it appears, we see only its light, not its shadows.” (By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept)

“Really important meetings are planned by the souls long before the bodies see each other."

“At every moment of our lives, we all have one foot in a fairy tale and the other in the abyss.” 

“You are someone who is different, but who wants to be the same as everyone else. And that in my view is a serious illness. God chose you to be different. Why are you disappointing God with this kind of attitude?” (Veronika Decides to Die)

“You have two choices, to control your mind or to let your mind control you.” (Veronika Decides to Die)

“If you love someone, you must be prepared to set them free.” (The Winner Stands Alone)

“And, when you can't go back, you have to worry only about the best way of moving forward.” (The Alchemist)

“A fall from the third floor hurts as much as a fall from the hundredth. If I have to fall, may it be from a high place.” 

“People want to change everything and, at the same time, want it all to remain the same.” (The Devil and Miss Prym)

“It is always important to know when something has reached its end. Closing circles, shutting doors, finishing chapters, it doesn't matter what we call it; what matters is to leave in the past those moments in life that are over.” (The Zahir)

“It takes a huge effort to free yourself from memory” (Aleph)

“Nothing in this world happens by chance” (Veronika Decides to Die)

“Ever since time began, people have recognized their true Love by the light in their eyes.” 

“Because you believed I was capable of behaving decently, I did.” (The Devil and Miss Prym)

“We must never stop dreaming. Dreams provide nourishment for the soul, just as a meal does for the body.” (The Pilgrimage)

“To realize one's destiny is a person's only obligation.” (The Alchemist)

“Everyone on earth has a treasure that awaits him.” (The Alchemist)

Monday, February 5, 2018

The Dark Side of Each Zodiac Sign


Leos are leaders, Librans are fair-minded and those born under the sign of Virgo compulsively clean. We all know the good traits our star signs are meant to bestow on us, but what about the bad?
Who’s moody, who’s stubborn and who’s (whisper it) a grade-A nightmare?

It's not always light.

As humans, we all have a light side and a dark side, with each playing a role in our personality and life. You can't ignore your dark side because it's a part of what makes you, you. Rather, you need to accept it, understand it, and use it to help you achieve your goals.

The dark side of your personality is often a rejected, ignored pile of emotions, situations and phobias that you try to forget with all your might. Your dark side is what you hate most in yourself. It's your fear of failure, it's your extreme shyness or your unhealthy compulsions. Or maybe it's a drug or alcohol addiction or your horrible temper. 

Why should you accept your dark side? Most people's approach toward their dark side is to fight it or ignore it. Some religions and counseling techniques instruct you to destroy the darkness within yourself in order to live a happy life.

This is an unhealthy approach because it causes you to split your personality in two rather than teaching you how to accept and use your dark side to your benefit.

But what can your zodiac sign tell you about your dark side? With the light there is dark; with the sweet there is sour. So it is with each zodiac sign. We all have a side of us that we don't like to show. Here are the zodiac signs' dark sides and the dark traits they hide.


Aries (March 21st-April 19th)

Since Aries is the first zodiac sign, Aries people are astrological babies. They have bad temper tantrums. They also tend to be immature. That is why everything is about “me, me, me." and “now! now! now!” Aries is the most impulsive and impatient of the zodiac signs.

Because they often don’t think through situations rather hurry to do things, they can arrive at a decision too quickly later regretting it. Impatience can also block their way to success.

Aries born tend to get very dominant at times thrusting themselves too much on others. They have a hard time accepting when things don’t go their way and it is very difficult to control them. After all, they are born leaders. They hate waiting for others to get the work done. Occasionally they can get egoistic.

Aries people do not understand the concept of forethought, so they never plan ahead. It’s up to whoever they are with at the time to make plans or prepare for contingencies. 

Also, if an idea isn't theirs, they don't agree with it. They're prone to childish remarks when they get their feelings hurt as well.

When Aries gets angry, it can be difficult for them to see the bigger picture. They explode without considering the ramifications of their words and actions.

Arians fiery, passionate personality can be easily explained by the fact that they belong to the Fire signs. On the positive side fire element gives natural positivity, enthusiastic and energetic personality to the Aries-born. However Fire has its negative aspects as well, making Arians quick to anger and often very impulsive.

Due to their fiery temper Aries tend to hurry to do things, and get impatient as mentioned before. Once you are aware of this personality trait you can improve on it. When you have a very important matter to decide, take plenty of time in arriving at a decision. Try to establish a quiet and calm state of mind before settling important matters.


Taurus (April 20th-May 20th) 

One of the negative characteristics of people born under this sign is that they can get possessive and jealous. They sometimes need to be forcefully taught the golden rule. They're stubborn and can be overly self-indulgent and lazy. They’re stupendously dull and move only when poked by a stick.

Taurus love material things, they love shopping, food and other possessions. They like comfort and pampering moments. Their materialistic nature often makes them jealous of others, especially the ones who actually work for the things they covet. The horoscope advises them to take a lighter approach towards life and look beyond the material gains.

Taurus can be painfully stubborn, at times irrationally persistent. This is one of their weakest points. Taurus can take this stubborn behavior too far. Taurus has a hard time letting go, and this can lead a less-than-self-aware Taurus to turn to stalking to get what they want.

"When you've got someone, you hang on to them," Stella Hyde writes in Darkside Zodiac. "Even if your lover tries all 50 ways to leave, you still follow them around bellowing piteously. This is called stalking."

Obviously, not all Taurus-born people are busy trailing around after old lovers by hiding behind doorways or lurking in alleys. But let's be honest, Taurus: How many times have you stalked an ex on social media?

Taurus can get way too into superficial things, whether it's personal vanity over their looks or just an obsession with having all the newest and most expensive stuff on the market.

A deep, soul-searing self-pity consumes them. Their bitterness runs so deep, they can make a whole bottle of milk go sour just by taking a sip. They never get tired of hearing themselves whine. 

No one could ever feel as sorry for them as they do for themselves. They will fake illness just to have a personal assistant help them because they’re so lazy. They’re not even above pretending they have a terminal illness just so they won’t get dumped.

Taurus is not the sign who welcomes changes with open arms. On the contrary, it makes them nervous and worried. As they are usually afraid of the unknown – new experiences and new situations – they can be shy around strangers as well. Taurus needs to be more flexible and needs imagination to be able to think creatively. Don’t let a one-track mind keep you from living life to the fullest.


Gemini (May 21st-June 20th) 

Gemini zodiac sign is symbolized by the twin. If you are a Gemini and wonder why you feel one day very social and the next day rather silent it is the typical characteristic of this zodiac sign. In their behaviors they often show duality, characterized by prominent inconstancy. They tend to have so many different personalities and you never know who you’re gonna get.

Gemini people love to talk, talk talk. If you have a secret, do not tell them, unless you want the whole world to know.

Because of the duality in Gemini’s nature it can sometimes be tough to predict how they will react. Depending on their mood you can expect to get hot or cold. They are prone to mood swings and often they face conflict between the emotions and the intellect. Twins thought to have a complex, contradictory and restless personality.

Gemini’s complex personality can make them feel love and hate simultaneously and they can also find it hard to distinguish between two emotions. This might leave them confused about their true feelings. They are known for being able to move on quickly as opposed to hold on to the past.

Gemini-born can experience difficulty in focusing only on one project. Because they need new stimulation and new things to learn, they often find it hard to stay interested. The downside of such a curious mind, can be a lack of persistence. This inconsistency is Gemini’s biggest challenge.

It might be difficult to find a fully committed Gemini. It is because of their curious personality, that always wants something new. Commitment is difficult for them and they can get into relations without really being serious. Gemini like to flirt around and their superficial side enjoys these flings.

Gemini might have envious thoughts and can be mistrustful. They can make a mistake of considering a close friend as enemy if they interpret a situation wrongly. This personality trait of the Gemini can make them suspicious even against the people closest to them. They must be careful with this bad state of mind as it can hold back their progress.

Geminis' favourite form of communication is talking. So, when they get angry, they express this emotion too by shouting angry, sarcastic, crushing words - words that feel like knifes beign thrown! Their anger is all about words, particularly big words - the bigger the word, the better. If you retort with something illogical, they will just lose it, because if there's one thing they won't tolerate, it's idiotic behaviour.


Cancer (June 21st-July 22nd)

Cancer is one of the most sensitive sign of the zodiac. When it comes to emotions, it’s always hurricane season with them.

Cancers are so sensitive that any little thing could offend them. This article, for example. (Sorry!). 1They can get easily hurt and they can’t accept rejection or failure. When something bad happens they need a home, their ‘shell’ where they can retreat to.

Cancers tend to be so cautious and timid that often is very difficult to move them out of their comfort zone. They are not fond of change and they need emotional stability and security before they make any decisions for a bigger change. They have to learn to let go and overcome their insecurity and they will see that there is nothing they can’t achieve.

Cancerians are so moody. Their mood can depend on anything from location to people around them. These mood swings are unpredictable and it might be difficult to handle for people around them.

Being a Water sign, which represents emotion in astrology, Cancerians have constantly changing emotions. They can get carried away by negative feelings and become depressed easily. Often they can be found in many different moods even within a single day. Cancerians can benefit from a happy home and a balanced private life.

They will give you all their attention as they listen to your problems, but they expect the same from you. They do not take criticism well at all. If you want to give them advice and you think they are approaching an issue the wrong way, choose your words very carefully. 

Often Cancer-born are prone to pessimism and sometimes it is without any reason. Because of their sensitive nature they can get disturbed easily and they can become constant complainers. Cancerians tend to have difficulties in trusting people as they carry imaginary fear.

Cancerians are known for being reserved. They are often hiding their true intentions and it might take long time in disclosing their feelings. They often experience difficulty in sharing their deepest emotions – which is so deep anyway that they find it hard to put into words.

Cancerians tend to worry too much about things. It is caused by their sensitivity and insecurity. If they manage to become objective towards their emotions they can use their real potential to the maximum. For that, they need to learn to let go the inner neediness and keep up a positive mindset.

They are prone to getting sick easily and require rest, so do not wear them out. It’s mostly because they are so emotional; they just drain themselves.


Leo (July 23rd-August 22nd)

Leos are warmhearted and loving people and they hold everything that is theirs very closely. Therefore they tend to become possessive. They are devoted to their families and closest friends but when their loyalty turns to possessiveness it makes the situation difficult for their loved one. Sharing is not a Leo’s strength.

Most Leos are driven by the desire of being loved and treasured. They are usually forgiving but their extreme pride can make them hold a grudge for longer than they should.

As natural born leaders the Leo-born people tend to be arrogant and high-minded, especially about their opinions or their way of doing things. They love to make their presence known and enjoy being in the spotlight. They enjoy having the best of everything and they themselves want to be the best in everything.

Their need for ruling and being in the limelight can be problematic, especially when they become self-centered. Leos can be harsh and say things without considering the fact that they would hurt someone.

They love to advise others, but sometimes forget others have different opinions. It is difficult for a Leo to understand that not everyone thinks the way they do and will not always agree with them. 

Nobody likes criticism but since Leo-born are working on building an image larger than life, they are not exactly kind when criticized.

Ruled by the Sun and being a Fire sign, Leo are very energetic and success driven individuals. They want to achieve goals, and they would never accept defeat. This is a great thing but they are also prone to being impatient. They want to get things done as soon as possible. This eagerness can make them anxious and it can even lead to failures. It is important for the Leo to master patience, it will bring them prosperity.

The Fire element also gives fierce personality type to the Leo-born. Leos are aggressive and sometimes their aggression is hard to handle. They are born-leaders and there is no way they take instructions from others.


Virgo (August 23rd-September 22nd)

Be careful when you're hanging out with a Virgo, because they tend to be much more judgmental than the other signs. You never know what they’re going to judge you for.

The Virgo has high standards. Incredibly high, unreasonable standards for everyone and everything in their life. They have a certain set of rules, they follow and expect others to follow this sets of rules as well. Therefore they can get quite controlling. 

They're perfectionists, so even so much as a crooked smile can set them off and have them gossiping. This personality trait can also pair up with harsh criticism for their loved ones. Don't expect to see them beating themselves up over personal failings, though. In their own eyes, they're flawless and everyone else is slacking.

Virgos tend to be negative in their approach to things in general. When they are feeling a little down, it is the end of the world. Their pessimism can come from their critical attitude.

The only thing Virgos share with others is their unhappiness. They won’t be happy until everyone is as miserable as they are. They push everyone away, then grab them back, only so they can push them away again. They insult even their closest friends, then they wonder why they don’t return their calls. Then, when they finally call back, Virgos love to torture them by ignoring them.

Virgos have strong likes and dislikes and these two characteristics together can make them quite fussy and highly discriminating. They can be inquisitive at times which can turn into dogmatism. Their harshness does not always go down well with the people around them.

They tend to be worriers and naggers mostly because they are afraid of the unknown. They prefer to go for the tested path and they are one of the least adventurous zodiac signs. Virgos vent about the things they need to do, instead of just doing them. The issue is that by the time they waste so much time venting, the work or problem could have been finished.

They are big worriers and hypochondriacs and will also worry about chemicals and ingredients of medications. They're likely take about 20 kinds of vitamin supplements for all sorts of reasons, deciding they are safe because they are “natural.” Even so, they will have lyme disease, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and several other health-related problems every day. Never let them read medical books or see commercials about any disease, or they will think they have that too.

Virgos have to be careful what they believe in because if they have a negative outlook on life, they will get moody and pessimistic. They will lead a much happier life if they focus on the more appreciative thoughts.


Libra (September 23rd-October 22nd)

Trying to make dinner plans with a Libra? You might as well wait for breakfast, because it will take at least that long for them to weigh every possible option.

The biggest weakness of the Libra-born people is indecisiveness. They spend a lot of time preparing and studying for every little thing. They're the kinds of people who stand in the grocery store with two bottles of ketchup carefully examining the labels. However once the Libras take a decision, you can be sure that it will be a balanced one and correct as well.

Libra-born can be too considerate at times. Just to keep everyone happy and keep peace they will abandon their own values. Also, they have a tendency of focusing on others more than themselves. The reason behind this personality trait is that Libra people are afraid to upset the balance.

Given that Libras have a very hesitant nature when it comes to decision making, the worst thing that can happen to them is to feel under pressure in those times. They hate being rushed and forced to act quickly. It makes them feel under pressure. They want to take their time and come up with the best solution, because they will feel emotionally devastated if they don’t.

Many Libra are found to be manipulative for their own good. They are charming people with a pleasing manner of talking and they know how to get on people’s good side. They can quickly find out what other people weaknesses are so they can manipulate them. Libra women are especially famous for this personality trait.

Scale, as the name suggests, they are two faceted characters. Both optimism and pessimism is prominent in them. They might seem joyful and happy but they can turn completely inactive and depressed. Libras can be full of contradictions.

They don't mean to be malicious, but they aren't loyal either.They panic at the thought of commitment and aren't very good at keeping promises. 

They get very upset if you disagree with them and may accuse you of “screaming” at them, even though you may have just expressed a different opinion. Libra people also like to show off.


Scorpio (October 23rd-November 21st)

The Scorpio darkside is darker than the rest — the words ‘evil’ and ‘master mind’ seem inadequate. Scorpios are very unforgiving. If you wrong a Scorpio, they will make your life miserable. 

Scorpios can be revengeful and can lost their temper if somebody truly gets in their way. They can hold grudge for a long time and strike back at the given opportunity. Betrayal is something that Scorpios hate the most and can’t take lightly.

Scorpions’ negative personality trait is that they can become obsessive with anything very quickly. Perhaps it starts as a passion and than it gets misdirected and becomes a fanaticism.

They're passionate but tend to be manipulative and fiery. Scorpios’ powers of manipulation can seriously mess with your mental health.

It is not rare to find possessive individuals amongst this zodiac sign. In relationships they can be distrustful and extremely jealous, displaying dominating behavior. Their possessiveness can make their relationships destructive, making life difficult both for themselves and for their partners. Scorpion-born people on the other hand are very loyal in relationships.

It is not easy to gain Scorpio’s trust. It does not come easy and it does take time to get there. Their suspicious personality and the fact that they cannot trust anyone easily can create misunderstanding between even their closest friends. They are secretive and they find it difficult to trust people. The Scorpio won’t share information about their inner thoughts and emotions.

Scorpios can easily spiral down into darkness and despair. This sign has a temper of epic proportions and when something gets under their skin, they will over react with a fury unlike any other.

Scorpions are very intellectual people who enjoy conversations, also they have a tendency to disagree or argue with people. They can be harsh when angry but they actually enjoy a good fight. Scorpios are very competitive, although they may not seem that way at first. They cover it well. 

When they are interested in any subject, they will research it so they know every last detail. This is the reason so many of them are research scientists. 

Scorpio is very sensitive and emotional. They just happen to hide it very well. Often they have a cool and unemotional exterior and underneath there is deep emotions and a sensitive soul. Hiding emotions is a self-protective mechanism for the Scorpio-born.


Sagittarius (November 22nd-December 21st) 

The Sagittarius are known for being open and honest, they always speak their mind and don’t hold anything back. This can be a great thing when you are looking for a straightforward opinion. But Sagittarians can be too harsh and brutal to the point that hurts others. They need to learn how to be more tactful.

People born under this sign are always confident, sometimes overconfident to the degree of being arrogant. They have a tendency to believe that they are always right and this is when they end up making many mistakes. They don’t like to be criticized and they are not kind to criticism either.

Sagittarius are full of energy and are constantly in search of something new. They like changes and it’s very difficult for them to stay put in one place for long. A downside of their energetic nature is that they can become bored easily and start following a new route. Boredom is their enemy, it makes them moody and irritable.

Because they are interested in so many things, always in search of something more stimulating, Sagittarians can be inconsistent. Due to this personality trait they end up being less efficient than they could be.

People born under this sign are often described as impatient or restless. They want quick results, this is why they don’t like projects that take too long and usually they don’t finish them. Instead, they move on to the next project. Sometimes their restlessness can turn to aggressiveness.

They can be very careless. This characteristic is probably the one they get criticised for the most from everyone. Sagittarians are prone to taking things for granted. This attitude can cause problems on every sphere of their lives especially on their romantic lives. They might even seem unemotional and cold at times.

Because the Sagittarius craves freedom more than anything, they often don't invest the time it takes to understand and solve relationship problems. They don’t handle commitment well. There is always a new adventure to be had and new people to meet.


Capricorn (December 22nd-January 19th)

Capricorns like to do things the way they think it is right and they tend to impose their ways on others. This might not go down well with others. Capricorn should learn to respect the way of others because there is more than one way of doing things.

Capricorns are very ambitious and determined people, always have a goal to reach something. Sometimes this trait can go towards stubbornness. They set their own rules and they do not like to take instructions from others. 

Capricorn people are generally serious and will not appreciate it if you are joking around about something that is meaningful to them.

Capricorns are often shy and reserved people. Especially in their younger years they tend to be more guarded and closed. Than in their 30s they might change their streaks altogether. This is when you will see the lively more fun side of the Capricorn. It still can take time to open up to friends. They rarely share their own problems despite of the fact that they are always there for friends to help.

Capricorn are highly ambitious people and may engage in social climbing, so do not be hurt if your Capricorn friend dumps you to hang around with someone who can help them. They have a huge desire to reach their goals often by any means.

They often use people for their own benefit and thrive on gossip and negativity. Capricorns thrive on negativity–a quick chat about their bad day can easily turn into an extensive rant about everything that’s ever gone wrong in their lives.

They are workaholics and do not like to be spontaneous. They do not like to take risks unless they are very well-calculated. 

Although Capricorns are emotional, they dislike public displays of emotions and will die of embarrassment if you take them out to dinner on their birthday and tell the waiters to bring a cake and sing. They hate to be involved in scenes of any kind. These are people who always think ahead and want to be in charge. 


Aquarius (January 20th-February 18th)

‘Living in their own bubble’ can be an apt phrase to describe them. Being an Air sign Aquarius are thinkers. They live so much in their own heads that they can come off as detached, emotionally distant and hard to get close to.

They may be cold on the outside, however, a brewing storm of extreme ideals and dreams powers them from the inside. They have a big imagination and they can be often unrealistic. They are usually living in the future already. If you do not like to try new things and take risks, an Aquarius will be hard for you to understand.

Aquarians can be overly secretive. Aquarius isn’t exactly an open book that just spills their secrets when you say ‘go’. When they don’t want to talk about something it can be like drawing blood from a stone trying to get any actual information out of them.

Aquarius people can come across as aloof and uncaring. They’re prone to putting up emotional walls which can sometimes frustrate their friends and loved ones. 

They can be rebellious, and impulsive. The rebellious side of Aquarius comes out when people try to force their will upon them demanding that they change the way they think or act. Aquarians are definitely not followers. They love to come up with new revolutionary ideas and do everything their own way. They work best when they create their own jobs.

Although they are good listeners, it is very difficult to make the Aquarius-born change their pattern of thinking. An Aquarius mind is a stubborn one, but since they enjoy freedom so much they understand when other people want to do things their own way too. Their mantra for life is ‘Live and Let Live’. But this also makes them detached and kind of a loner. 

People born in this zodiac sign do not have a particular behavioral pattern, so they may be unpredictable at times. They change so quickly that you may never be able to understand what goes in their heads. Aquarians  can be full of conflicts. It is quite common that they aim for completely different things at the same time. They tend to have unexpected deviations and they have surprising level of stability and work ethic as well. One Aquarius may be the lighthearted life of the party while another is a housebound introvert with extremist opinions. They dislike monotony.

Aquarians have unusual friends from all walks of life. If this makes you uncomfortable, these are not the companions for you. Most Aquarius people love to travel and if they do so, they prefer adventurous trips and off-the-beaten-trek destinations.

The Waterbearer can be a bit misanthropic and prone to eccentric beliefs and attitudes. Some may wonder whether they are from another planet. They are, by nature, allergic to what's normal, so if you are normal, you won't see them in person much. Aquarius is also the least common zodiac sign. 


Pisces (February 19th-March 20th)

If there is something that Pisces hates is definitely loud arguments and conflicts. They hate confrontation as they don’t have a fighting nature. Pisces can be one of the most quiet signs of the zodiac. They can be too timid in their ways and this may make them subject to ill-treatment or taken for granted or betrayal. They are too tolerant and forgiving and they must learn to stand up for themselves.

Pisceans live in their imaginary world. They are the greatest dreamers of the zodiac chart. When something goes wrong they retreat into their dream world to avoid reality. When the Pisces personality takes on a negative manifestation they are prone to addictions because they don’t want to face the truth.

Pisces’ go-with-the-flow attitude can translate into a major lack of direction. They are often indecisive and they don’t know what they want. They go into a state of seeking and if they can’t make a decision they feel disappointed. In relationships they seek a dominant partner who keeps them grounded.

Despite of all the resources and talent they possess they tend to have low self-esteem which is a great hindrance in their path. They must stop feeling sorry for themselves and stop doubting themselves if they want to be happy and successful in life.

Pisces are generous and compassionate to the level of being selfless. They are too sympathetic and tend to suffer with others. They need to learn to create personal boundaries in order to know what they are feeling.

Pisces often find themselves in situations when they are taken advantage of because they are too generous and understanding with everybody. Besides their gullible nature they are quite malleable and can be easily influenced by others.

When asked, most of the people will say that oversensitivity is the most irritating trait of the Pisces. They get hurt very easily and they can exaggerate the importance of anything trivial. Because of their highly sensitive personality they take everything to heart. Anything and everything affects them deeply.

Pisces rules the feet, and many of them have tons of pairs of shoes. Go ahead, check out their closets.

Friday, February 2, 2018

Jinn State, The Elemental Art


By Samael Aun Weor

Any sage of the elemental art (Jinn Science) can make the great jump. The Masters of Jinn Science can leave the earth in order to live on other planets with the same physical body that they have here in the third dimension. They can take their physical body of flesh and blood to other planets. This is the great jump. Some Masters of Jinn Science have already made this great jump.

With pranayama we gain the power to place our physical body in the Jinn State.

There exist many keys in order to place the physical body in the Jinn State. It is very important to practice pranayama before using these keys.

Jinn Science is a matter of vibration. Above and below the limited objective perceptions, there exist worlds that are located in other dimensions.

Remember, beloved disciple, that the divine powers of Jinn Science are very sacred.

These powers can be utilized in order to cure and heal sick people from a distance. These powers can also be utilized in order to enter the temples of the White Lodge and study the marvels of creation within the womb of Nature.

Jinn Science is not for the weak, the unsteady, fickle, or inconsistent people. 

This science is not for skeptical people. Such people are useless for Jinn Science. This science should never be exhibited, for the White Lodge forbids it. Jinn Science is not to be displayed or demonstrated as a spectacle of magic. This science is terribly divine and can be practiced only in secret. When I, the author of this book, wanted to publicly demonstrate Jinn Science, the Master Morya immediately intervened by saying: “We have been teaching and helping you for the past ten years and now you want to exhibit your powers. Why? Powers are very sacred. Powers must not be exhibited to the public.”

Seventh Key

Those who know how to travel in their Astral body can invoke the physical body from afar. The first step the Gnostic must do with this key is to project himself in the Astral body. When he finds himself far from the physical body he may call upon any of the great Masters of Jinn Science.

The devotee may ask the great Masters to carry his physical body to the Astral plane. 

The Genii of the Jinn State will then take the physical body from the bed and will bring it to the devotee who is asking for it. Prior to the arrival of the physical body, many bubbles will appear to the devotee. The final bubble is red, behind this red bubble comes the physical body in the Jinn State. When the physical body is near the student, he feels as though his shoulders are very heavy.

The emotion that the student experiences when the physical body is in front of him is tremendous. The greatest surprise comes to him when he discovers that his physical body also has Consciousness and will respond to his questions.

In such moments, the devotee must dominate all of his emotions and control his mind so that he does not ruin the experiment. If the devotee lets himself be driven by his emotions, then the physical body and the devotee will instantly return to the bed and the experiment will be ruined.

Table Work

In occultism, table work is the instant in which the physical body is invoked from afar and must inevitably enter the sidereal body of the devotee. This performance is very difficult because the body must learn how to do so, and the soul must dominate its emotions and know how to command the body.

The body must enter the soul through the coronary chakra, or lotus of one thousand petals, which is located in the upper part of the head of the sidereal body.

The devotee must command the body and the body must obey. If the body does not obey, then it is because it does not know how. So, the devotee must teach it.

The soul must command and teach the physical body to leave through the sidereal head of the Astral body, and enter the devotee through the same door. The result is marvelous; the physical body obeys and enters into the devotee. In the Astral plane things are very different. It is not the devotee who must enter into the physical body; the physical body must enter into the devotee. This is how the devotee remains with his physical body in the Astral plane.

The Jinn system of the seventh key is for those who are very skilled in using and controlling the Astral body.

With the physical body in the Jinn State we can visit the temples of the great White Lodge and receive direct teachings from the great Masters who initiated the dawn of creation.

This is what is known as practical occultism. Practical occultism is urgently needed by all.

The students of various schools of occultism are tired of theories. Unfortunately, the majority of students want to develop their powers easily, without any effort or sacrifice, comfortably within a short period of time, as if it were, so to speak, “a piece of cake.”

We must be aware of the fact that life is very difficult and nothing is given to us for free.

This science is not for fickle people; it is better that such people remain out of these studies. This science is not for curious people either. We cannot play with cosmic laws without being burned. The law is the law and we must respect what is sacred.

Men who are working with Jinn Science must wear only yellow pajama pants. The remainder of the body must be nude. Comfortable, loose clothing is best for Jinn practices because the chakras will spin freely.

Women who are practicing Jinn Science must wear only a loose fitting yellow robe that is as long and as wide as possible. The robe must be very beautiful, similar to the robes of the Samaritans. Women who practice Jinn Science must not cut their hair. The hair is a symbol of purity and Chastity. In ancient times, a woman who committed Adultery was punished by having to cut her hair.


Extracts from The Yellow Book by Samael Aun Weor
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